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Council highlights: keep Louisiana beautiful initiative, local honors and blood‑donation push
Summary
The council heard a presentation from Keep Louisiana Beautiful about a new 'Love Our Waterways' September initiative and grants the group has provided locally; it also recognized local figures (BMX rider Leo Ahrens, Dave Doherty Jr.) and proclaimed July as Community Blood Donation Month.
During its July 9 meeting the council heard several non‑regulatory presentations and made multiple recognitions.
Susan Russell, executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, described the organization’s statewide programs and local affiliates — noting roughly seven affiliates in St. Tammany Parish — and launched a Love Our Waterways campaign for September that includes shoreline and water cleanups, education programs for schools and a litter camera grant pilot. Russell said the statewide program collected hundreds of tons of litter in recent campaigns and supports volunteer engagement and small grants to local affiliates.
The council also presented proclamations recognizing Leonidas “Leo” Ahrens, a 12‑year‑old BMX rider qualifying for Team USA competition, and Dave (Dave/Dave Jr. as in the proclamation) Doherty Jr. for long service on the parish Planning and Zoning Commission. Speakers praised both honorees’ contributions to youth and community planning.
Finally, the council proclaimed July 2026 as Community Blood Donation Month; Susie Potter of the Blood Center urged parish support for a July 30 blood drive and explained the continuing demand (noting 25% of blood is used for cancer patients and that trauma centers have steady needs). Potter requested council help with outreach and distribution of flyers for the drive.
These items required no council votes to change parish policy; they were recorded as presentations and proclamations in the meeting minutes.
